House of the Dragon Season 2 is set to premiere next week, but Warner Bros. has increased the cost of its streaming service, Max, by a dollar for the ad-free monthly plan. This subscription hike comes just in time for the release of the highly anticipated Game of Thrones spin-off. The new monthly price for ad-free access is now $17, while the annual plan has jumped from $150 to $170. However, those on the ad-supported plan can still enjoy the show for $10 a month or $100 a year. The timing of the price increase has left many feeling frustrated, particularly with major shows like The Penguin also set to premiere soon.

Why did Warner Bros. increase the cost of the Max streaming service?n

Warner Bros. likely increased the cost of the Max streaming service to capitalize on the release of popular shows like House of the Dragon Season 2, as this will drive higher demand. The company may also be addressing rising operational costs and investments in new content to compete with other streaming platforms.

House of the Dragon is a prequel to the hit series Game of Thrones, set 200 years before the events of the original series. It chronicles the history of House Targaryen and the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. The show's lavish production and intricate storytelling have made it one of the most anticipated series of the year, which explains the strategic timing of the price increase by Warner Bros.